A/N: Well, since last chapter obviously didn't catch your attention, here's next one. Hopefully you'll like it more.
Please, leave review, no matter if you like it, or not (constructive criticism is always welcome).
As soon as Arthur went to bathroom to take a shower Ariadne took her totem. She placed it carefully on nightstand and knocked; it knocked over with slight sound. Ariadne breathed heavily, a wave of relief washed over her. It was real: Arthur, his gentle touch, his soft voice and this moment of oblivion. She didn't notice Arthur coming in to bedroom, not until he gasped quietly.
"Oh!", she exclaimed fearfully, trying to hide her totem.
"Leave it, Ariadne", he stopped her and sat beside her on bed. He glanced on her chess piece and gently touched her hand.
"It's amazing how valuable thing like this can be.", he said quietly. "And how easy we can lose it and stay with nothing."
Ariadne frowned. "That's how you see it?", she asked with the slightest hint of pain in her voice. He squeezed her hand tightly.
"No! No, Ariadne. I don't want to lose everything what's around me, especially you.", he confessed quietly.
She smiled and looked at him with tenderness.
"You know that's the closest thing to "I love you", I've ever heard from you?", she asked, desperately trying not to think about another man and different room.
Arthur smirked. "I'm sure that I said it.", he answered with hint of amusement in his voice.
"Only when you thought you're dreaming.", Ariadne answered, her good humor faltered.
Arthur flinched slightly, but didn't say anything.
"Why are you still afraid?", Ariadne asked suddenly. "It doesn't make sense: why anybody would give you this kind of dreams?"
"To take them away from me.", Arthur voice sounded hollow. He looked at her, his eyes dark and distant. "That's the easiest way to broke anybody. I check it by myself."
Ariadne opened her mouth, but no words came out. She leaned to him and kissed him chastely on cheek.
"It doesn't matter.", she whispered hurriedly into his ear and stood up. "I'll make breakfast.", she added and left. She stopped for a second at the top of staircase.
That's who you are? You give him an absolution, when you're a sinner yourself?, asked small voice in her head.
I have to do that., she answered it determinately.
That's the only way.
To keep him alive.
To keep him with her.
Eames groaned loudly when he stepped into the kitchen.
"There should be a way to turn off sun.", he announced into the space.
"Oh, really?", Cobb leaned out from a corner. "It would be simpler just not too drink so much."
Eames groaned again and sat heavily. "I'm not sure what I told you yesterday.", he admitted sheepishly.
"You said that Arthur is bastard, but you're bigger one than him.", Cobb answered smirking. "You said also that you won't leave.", he added, this time seriously.
"Fuck. I hoped that I hadn't said that.", Eames brushed his hair with hand. "You're not longer angry at me, are you?", he observed.
"Everything is too complicated to be angry at anybody.", Dom answered sighing. "You know that Ariadne loves Arthur, don't you?"
"Of course, I know.", Eames said lightly.
"And you're a friend of Arthur."
Eames shrugged. "I'm afraid I can't deny it either."
"So why are you acting like that?", Cobb's eyes were serious and demanding.
"Because you keep forgetting about one simple fact.", Eames answered looking intently at Dom's face.
"What fact?", Dom asked, puzzled.
"That Arthur is not longer Arthur."
When Arthur entered the kitchen Ariadne already recoiled her composure. Besides, seeing him being so like his old self really soothed Ariadne's nerves.
"It's possible to change totem, isn't it?", she asked trying to sound casually. "I mean, Cobb changed his."
Arthur looked at her, obviously surprised. "Yes, it is.", he answered finally.
"So take mine."
"What? Ariadne, what are you talking about?"
"Take my totem. I believe it, so why can't you?", Ariadne repeated stubbornly.
"Ariadne, I can't.", Arthur shook his head. "It's yours."
"Exactly. It's mine and I can do with it whatever I want. And I want to give it to you."
"Ariadne… It's possible to change totem, but you need to be completely sure that you're not dreaming."
"But you can believe me.", Ariadne said, her voice filled with hope.
"I…", Arthur seemed to lose words. "Ariadne, I can't, just can't."
"Because you don't trust me. I understand.", Ariadne turned back to stove, swallowing tears.
She knew she was acting childishly, but she wanted so badly to return to those happy days… She couldn't stand the thought that's impossible and it made her angry at everybody around her, even Arthur himself. Especially now, when Arthur behaved so normal and she felt so guilty because of her act. She tensed feeling his arms around her.
"Ariadne.", he whispered softly. "Will you marry me?"
"In reality or dreams?", she asked feeling like the worst bitch.
"In reality.", he answered seriously.